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July CAL~ Stitch ‘n’ Style Handbag Week # 4

Welcome to the July Crochet-Along featuring the Stitch ‘n’ Style Handbag! I have teamed up with two wonderful ladies, Maria from Pattern Paradise and Wendy from The Hooked Haberdasher, to design this gorgeous bag and I couldn’t be happier with the results.

Starting on July 1st, we will be rolling out the instructions weekly on each of our websites, so you will get to visit with all of us! You can also follow along by joining our Facebook Event here.

Here is the yardage for the yarn I used on my bag. You will need one skein of each color, although I did not use up the entire skeins other than the Tranquil color . You can see the colors or purchase this yarn here. Of course, you can use any yarn for this project as long as you adjust the hook size for different weights.

R1: Ch 26, sc in the 2nd ch from hook, *skip ch 2, in next ch make [1 dc, ch 2, 1 dc, ch 2, 1 dc], skip ch 2, in next ch make 1 sc*, repeat between * to end, turn (17 sts, 8 ch-2 spaces)R2: Ch 4 (counts as first dc and ch 2), in the first sc make 1 dc, skip the next dc, make 1 sc in the next dc, *working into the next sc make [1 dc, ch 2, 1 dc, ch 2, 1 dc], skip the next dc, sc into next dc*, repeat between * to last sc, in last sc make [1 dc, ch 2, 1dc], turn (17 sts, 8 ch-2 spaces)R3: Ch 1, sc in first st, skip next dc, *into next sc make [1 dc, ch 2, 1 dc, ch 2, 1 dc], skip next dc, sc into next dc*, repeat between * to end, making the last sc in the 2nd ch of the ch-4 from the previous row, turn (17 sts, 12 ch-2 spaces)R4 – R12: Repeat R2 & R3, ending with a repeat of R2. DO NOT FASTEN OFF – skip to SC Border for joining squares.

Tip: To assist in placing the 22 stitches evenly across the square, divide the square edge into 4 sections and figure out how many stitches you’d need to have in each section to make it even – I did 5 in the first section, 6 in the next 2 sections and 5 in the final section.

Linked Double Crochet Turning Stitch: To begin a row with LKDC start by chaining 3, pull up a loop in the 2nd chain from hook, pull up a loop in the first st of the row, YO and pull through 2 loops, YO and pull through 2 remaining loops on hook (first LKDC made).

Linked DC (LKDC): Pull up a loop in the horizontal bar at the front middle of the previous stitch, pull up a loop in the next st, yarn over and pull through 2 loops, yarn over and pull through 2 remaining loops on hook.

Linked DC Decrease: Pull up a loop in the horizontal bar at the front middle of the previous stitch, pull up a loop in next st, yarn over and pull through 2 loops, but do not complete the st, pull up a loop in next st, yarn over and pull through 2 loops, yarn over and pull through all remaining loops on hook.

R1: Ch 3, pull up a loop in 2nd ch from hook, pull up a loop in 3rd ch, YO and pull through 2 loops, YO and pull through 2 remaining loops on hook (counts as first LKDC), make 2 LKDC in the 3rd ch, turn (3)R2: Ch 3, LKDC in each st, turn (3)R3: Repeat R2R4: Ch 3, LKDC in first st, make 2 LKDC in next st, LKDC in last st, turn (4)R5: Ch 3, LKDC in each st, turn (4)R6: Ch 3, LKDC in first 2 sts, make 2 LKDC in next st, LKDC in last st, turn (5)R7: Ch 3, LKDC in each st, turn (5)R8: Ch 3, LKDC in first 2 sts, make 2 LKDC in next st, LKDC in last 2 sts, turn (6)R9: Ch 3, LKDC in each st, turn (6)R10: Ch 3, LKDC in first 3 sts, make 2 LKDC in next st, LKDC in last 2 sts, turn (7)R11: Ch 3, LKDC in each st, turn (7)R12: Ch 3, LKDC in first 3 sts, make 2 LKDC in next st, LKDC in last 3 sts, turn (8)R13: Ch 3, LKDC in each st, turn (8)R14: Ch 3, LKDC in first 4 sts, make 2 LKDC in next st, LKDC in last 3 sts, turn (9)R15: Ch 3, LKDC in each st, turn (9)R16: Ch 3, LKDC in first 4 sts, make 2 LKDC in next st, LKDC in last 4 sts, turn (10)R17: Ch 3, LKDC in each st, turn (10)R18: Ch 3, LKDC in first 5 sts, make 2 LKDC in next st, LKDC in last 4 sts, turn (11)R19: Ch 3, LKDC in each st, turn (11)R20: Ch 3, LKDC in first 5 sts, make 2 LKDC in next st, LKDC in last 5 sts, turn (12)R21: Ch 3, LKDC in each st, turn (12)R22 – 154: Repeat R21At this point, the strap should measure approximately 71″ from end to end. If you want a longer or shorter strap, adjust the number of Rows before continuing.R155: Ch 3, LKDC in first 5 sts, LKDC dec, LKDC in last 5 sts, turn (11)R156: Ch 3, LKDC in each st, turn (11)R157: Ch 3, LKDC in first 5 sts, LKDC dec, LKDC in last 4 sts, turn (10)R158: Ch 3, LKDC in each st, turn (10)R159: Ch 3, LKDC in first 4 sts, LKDC dec, LKDC in last 4 sts, turn (9)R160: Ch 3, LKDC in each st, turn (9)R161: Ch 3, LKDC in first 4 sts, LKDC dec, LKDC in last 3 sts, turn (8)R162: Ch 3, LKDC in each st, turn (8)R163: Ch 3, LKDC in first 3 sts, LKDC dec, LKDC in last 3 sts, turn (7)R164: Ch 3, LKDC in each st, turn (7)R165: Ch 3, LKDC in first 3 sts, LKDC dec, LKDC in last 2 sts, turn (6)R166: Ch 3, LKDC in each st, turn (6)R167: Ch 3, LKDC in first 2 sts, LKDC dec, LKDC in last 2 sts, turn (5)R168: Ch 3, LKDC in each st, turn (5)R169: Ch 3, LKDC in first 2 sts, LKDC dec, LKDC in last st, turn (4)R170: Ch 3, LKDC in each st, turn (4)R171: Ch 3, LKDC in first st, LKDC dec, LKDC in last st, turn (3)R172: Ch 3, LKDC in each st, turn (3)R173: Ch 3, LKDC dec over next 3 sts, do not turn (1)SC Border: Ch 1, work SC stitches evenly around the entire strap. Join with sl st to beg SC. Fasten off.

Joining Gusset

Decide where you want the handles to tie (top center, one of the sides).

Mark the gusset and the bag side. Line up the stitches on both pieces all the way around to the top of the bag. With the gusset facing you, join yarn and sl st through both thicknesses down the side, across the bottom and up the opposite side to join the gusset to the bag. Fasten off.

Repeat for the other side.

Take the tapered ends of the straps and tie in a knot. With a small piece of yarn and tapestry needle, sew through the knot to secure it.